Questions that do not deserve a thread

[atheistgod1999]

Are there any mods yet to:
1. Disable the TMSS in Genesis' that have them?
2. Have a microphone controller for the AV Famicom?

[korpse413]

I apologize for the heresy of what I am about to ask but I am in need of a bit of a history lesson:

I have recently pondered the idea of owning a Turbografx16. I am in my mid 20's and have zero nostalgia for it, but this makes me want to explore. Long story short I stumbled upon a review of the PC Engine Core Grafx console, and I pretty much fell in love with it at first sight. I adore its simple design and small footprint. This then led me down a rabbit hole of further research of noticing common remarks of "Oh just get a TurboDuo" and/or "if you have the $$$$$ get...", etc. With all these revisions (Core Grafx [1 blue font?], Core Grafx 2 [reddish font], SuperGrafx, TurboDuo, Super CD-ROM add-on versions 1/2) is there justification in just purchasing a Core Grafx? Are the differences staggering between revisions, or is it similar to a MD model 1 vs model 2? I am noticing that region modding exists so that should cover all bases of if I ever find a TG16 game in the wild somewhere (highly unlikely).

This is totally uncharted territory for me but I feel like this is the zone for PC Engine knowledge.

[kamiboy]

If you are short on cash then a CoreGrafx is a fine entry point into the world of PC Engine. But if you can afford it the best investment is a PC Engine Turbo R.

Things to be weary of:

While the CoreGrafx and CoreGrafx II are similar machines the first PC Engine revision, the white one, is RF only out of the box.

The CD Drive addon that you can hook up to a regular PC engine using a IFU30 interface (the suitcase) has a known problem of a gear that breaks, and will need replacement in just about 100% of cases.

The first PC Engine Turbo model, the black one, as well as the overseas Turbo Duo suffer from well known leaking capacitor problems, and will need need repairs in just about 100% of cases.

The Duo and Duo R/RX models have at least CD card 3.0 built in, while other CD unit models will need this purchased separately to enjoy Super CD games.

While overseas TurboGrafx models are somewhat easy to region mod, the PC engine models are not.

PC Engines and TurboGrafx offer composite video out at best, so for RGB they will need to be either RGB modded, or in case of Core models, hook a custom RGB output module to the EXT port on their back.

In Japan SEGA was a nonentity for most of the 8/16 bit era, so Nintendo's true rival for the Famicom/Super Famicom was the PC Engine, and that is easy to see from the stellar library.

[accaris]

NES is giving vertical jailbars, but only on solid green or brown backgrounds. It seems like the browner it is, the more prominent the jailbars are. No jailbars on solid red or purple backgrounds, only very faint jailbars on blue backgrounds. I'm running through an iScan, but SNES looks fine, so I don't think it's the iScan. Do you think NES caps need to be replaced?

[FinalBaton]

If you are short on cash then a CoreGrafx is a fine entry point into the world of PC Engine. But if you can afford it the best investment is a PC Engine Turbo R.

Things to be weary of:

While the CoreGrafx and CoreGrafx II are similar machines the first PC Engine revision, the white one, is RF only out of the box.

The CD Drive addon that you can hook up to a regular PC engine using a IFU30 interface (the suitcase) has a known problem of a gear that breaks, and will need replacement in just about 100% of cases.

The first PC Engine Turbo model, the black one, as well as the overseas Turbo Duo suffer from well known leaking capacitor problems, and will need need repairs in just about 100% of cases.

The Duo and Duo R/RX models have at least CD card 3.0 built in, while other CD unit models will need this purchased separately to enjoy Super CD games.

While overseas TurboGrafx models are somewhat easy to region mod, the PC engine models are not.

PC Engines and TurboGrafx offer composite video out at best, so for RGB they will need to be either RGB modded, or in case of Core models, hook a custom RGB output module to the EXT port on their back.

In Japan SEGA was a nonentity for most of the 8/16 bit era, so Nintendo's true rival for the Famicom/Super Famicom was the PC Engine, and that is easy to see from the stellar library.

Very good overview.

I think an RGB cable can be made pretty easily for all machine that have an expansion port, right? (including the white PC Engine). I've seen an example of someone taking a SCART lead, chopping one end, putting crimp connectors on the R, G, B, Sync and ground wires and plugging them directly on pins of the Expansion port. Seemed relatively easy and gives the CoreGrafx and white PC Engine an RGB video signal.

[kamiboy]

No, the RGB signal from the PC Engine needs to be amped. It is not fit to be routed to a screen directly via a SCART lead.

[vol.2]

Does anybody know what the "H. FRE" adjustment pot does on my PVM-2030? When I tweak it, it shifts the image in a way similar to "H. CENT" (makes the image go right to left).

[bobrocks95]

I only like the white designs of the PC Engine/Turbografx myself, so that leaves it at the original PC Engine and the Duo R/RX. And, well, there's about a $200-250 difference between the two, while at the same time I think the suitcase CD add-on also looks disgusting. So it's $200 of future-proofing in my case.

I think the PC Engine CD can run burned discs with no modifications, just like the Sega CD or Dreamcast, so that's certainly a big argument in favor of anyone getting a version of the system with CD support from the start. I'm not exactly excited to pay $200 for Rondo of Blood.

Are there any mods yet to:
1. Disable the TMSS in Genesis' that have them?

Only thing I could find on that is that there's a simple switch mod or something, but it apparently doesn't work for any game over a certain size (6mb? 8mb? People said Comix Zone doesn't work, I dunno what size it is). Considering all the other problems TMSS Genesis' are likely to have, if it bothers you, you're probably better off just buying a High Definition Graphics model 1 that won't have it anyway.

[FinalBaton]

No, the RGB signal from the PC Engine needs to be amped. It is not fit to be routed to a screen directly via a SCART lead.

Ah, good to know. The dbElectronics module becomes interesting then.

[kamiboy]

The IFU-30 CD interface plus a white PC Engine combo looks sexy as deuce. Though I personally never cared for the look of the Duo R, or RX. I think Rondo of blood can easily be had for 10.000-15.000¥, and is worth the price.

As for the dbElectronics module, I think it is ugly. Currently I am working on building a sleek looking SCART cable with an RGB amp that hooks directly into the back of a PC Engine. I'll post the results once it is complete.

[bobrocks95]

The IFU-30 CD interface plus a white PC Engine combo looks sexy as deuce. Though I personally never cared for the look of the Duo R, or RX.

A fully populated suitcase doesn't really look like a console to me, but I'm sure others find that uniqueness interesting. It's definitely ugly if the colors aren't all matching though, not sure you could argue against that.

I think Rondo of blood can easily be had for 10.000-15.000¥, and is worth the price.

It's looking more like it starts at 15,000 unless you don't want the instruction manual (and why would you pay so much without it?)

That's Amazon Japan though. Other place I'd look is Yahoo Japan auctions, but I don't know how to look at sold listings.

[kamiboy]

Amazon is for chumps, and why would you want to look at old listings? Just keep bidding 15000 on yahoo auction copies until you win one for that price. Easy as that. All it takes is patience.

[bobrocks95]

Amazon is for chumps, and why would you want to look at old listings? Just keep bidding 15000 on yahoo auction copies until you win one for that price. Easy as that. All it takes is patience.

Okay, that still doesn't mean it can be "easily had for 10,000 yen"

[kamiboy]

Easy as pie.

[vol.2]

i looked into this because i'm also mulling a rondo purchase over. over the last 6 months, the cheapest one with a manual sold for ichi-man ni-sen en. (12000) unless you think the price will drop off in in the springtime. maybe they do. my guess is at least 13500. my 2 cents.

[Shoryukev]

Any suggestions for converting JAMMA video signal to SCART for connecting to a PVM? I've had my eyes on this unit, but I wish it had audio connected to the SCART as well....what are you guys using for your PCBs?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152243258281?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

[korpse413]

Whoa, thanks all for the knowledge bombs - keep 'em comin'!


What's the difference between a Duo R and Duo RX?

I am in full binge mode of watching shooter reviews - but all these revisions and add-ons are popping up. Is the 'Arcade Card' requirement an add-on? The game in question that supposedly requires it is ___ ___ Sapphire from 1995 Hudson Soft. Will owning a Coregrafx base model leave me unable to play without constructing a Voltron-esk (although still badass) console to play everything?

How does something like the Turboeverdrive stack for the library? Is the support relatively ~99%? I'd like to use something like that to start before I settle on purchasing the gems for long term ownership.

[Fudoh]

What's the difference between a Duo R and Duo RX?

the awful 6-button controller that comes with the RX.

Is the 'Arcade Card' requirement an add-on?

it's a 18 mbit Ram expansion above the Super System Card's 2 mbit expansion.
On a Core system you need an Arcade Card Pro (20mbit). On Duo systems you can use either (Arcade Card Duo or Pro).

How does something like the Turboeverdrive stack for the library?

perfectly fine.

[Shoryukev]

What's the difference between a Duo R and Duo RX?

the awful 6-button controller that comes with the RX.

I always thought there was more differences than that, didn't they at least remove the headphone output on the RX? I wonder if the RX has the same problem as the regular duo where the capacitors always need to be replaced?

I've been looking at various turbografx/pc-engine models as well, having trouble deciding what I want.

[kamiboy]

The Duo R and RX do not suffer from capacitor issues like the regular Duo does.

[Fudoh]

I always thought there was more differences than that, didn't they at least remove the headphone output on the RX?

wasn't that gone on the R already ?

[Shoryukev]

oh jeez R and RX, for some reason in my head I thought it was the regular duo and the R. My bad, I forgot there were 3 different types of duo's.

[Ikaruga11]

Is it possible to fix the Wii U's Limited RGB Range (16-235) with mods or custom firmware? Everything would look so much nicer and more vibrant if the Wii U could output Full RGB Range (0-255).

[speedlolita]

I'm after some terminology.

To explain, I'm looking to identify the term to describe what occurs when I play my Super Famicom on my 1080p Samsung TV.

Basically, every second or so it is almost as if the image shifts one pixel right and then back again.

This is a SHVC-CPU-01 with official GameCube SCART lead into the SCART of the TV. However, I have switched the cvideo pin on the AV port of the console with csync. I was going to try cvideo and see if this made the image stable but I haven't been bothered to try yet.

[Xyga]

Any simple solution for using a Namco Stick with a 360 ? (without adding lag of course!)

I mean without modding the crap out of th stick of course, like an adapter.

Thanks.

EDIT: so yeah apparently I'm looking for an alternative to the Xtokki360, one that's still available that is. *sigh*

[Cirventhor]

I'm a bit disappointed with how 480p (Wii/Xbox through component) is scaled both by the Framemeister and my 4K TV (Samsung JU7500). On my TV it looks better than through the Mini, but using component inputs along with game mode introduces some sort of shimmering issues, particularly along the edges of black text on white backgrounds. The TV does not support full pixel scaling either with analogue inputs.

So my question is; what scaler would you recommend for scaling component 480p to a 4K TV? My TV upscales from 1080p to 4K very well, so a 480p -> 1080p scaler would be sufficient. Budget along the lines of $300.

[Blair]

I'm a bit disappointed with how 480p (Wii/Xbox through component) is scaled both by the Framemeister and my 4K TV (Samsung JU7500). On my TV it looks better than through the Mini, but using component inputs along with game mode introduces some sort of shimmering issues, particularly along the edges of black text on white backgrounds. The TV does not support full pixel scaling either with analogue inputs.

So my question is; what scaler would you recommend for scaling component 480p to a 4K TV? My TV upscales from 1080p to 4K very well, so a 480p -> 1080p scaler would be sufficient. Budget along the lines of $300.

before you try investing in a scaler perhaps you should get a low-cost component to HDMI transcoder and see if that helps your situation, I use lots of the porta transcoder's with good results. they only cost around $25 (https://www.amazon.com/Portta-PETRHP-Co ... B003VJ9RP6)

but I definitely agree that the Framemeister does a fairly mediocre job with 480p sources. kind of a big oversight in its design (especially considering how much it costs).

I'm after some terminology.

To explain, I'm looking to identify the term to describe what occurs when I play my Super Famicom on my 1080p Samsung TV.

Basically, every second or so it is almost as if the image shifts one pixel right and then back again.

This is a SHVC-CPU-01 with official GameCube SCART lead into the SCART of the TV. However, I have switched the cvideo pin on the AV port of the console with csync. I was going to try cvideo and see if this made the image stable but I haven't been bothered to try yet.

sounds like the results of a poor de-interlacing algorithm (many TVs will attempt to de-interlace 240p games even though they are technically a progressive source), I've seen it before with my J-tec video converter. does the exact same thing with all 240p sources. have you tested any other lo-res systems to see if they are affected in the same way? (if you have a PlayStation 2 or some other system that can output 240p over component video, maybe give that a try?)

Is it possible to fix the Wii U's Limited RGB Range (16-235) with mods or custom firmware? Everything would look so much nicer and more vibrant if the Wii U could output Full RGB Range (0-255).

getting HDMI output directly from the WiiU, only way I've been able to correct that issue in a satisfying way is by using my DVDO video processors (edge green/VP50), gives me a nice vibrant picture with deep blacks and no washout.

otherwise you could just use the component video output of the WiiU and pair it with a decent component to HDMI transcoder. I believe that would give you technically the same results as a full range picture once everything is calibrated properly.

[Cirventhor]

I'm a bit disappointed with how 480p (Wii/Xbox through component) is scaled both by the Framemeister and my 4K TV (Samsung JU7500). On my TV it looks better than through the Mini, but using component inputs along with game mode introduces some sort of shimmering issues, particularly along the edges of black text on white backgrounds. The TV does not support full pixel scaling either with analogue inputs.

So my question is; what scaler would you recommend for scaling component 480p to a 4K TV? My TV upscales from 1080p to 4K very well, so a 480p -> 1080p scaler would be sufficient. Budget along the lines of $300.

before you try investing in a scaler perhaps you should get a low-cost component to HDMI transcoder and see if that helps your situation, I use lots of the porta transcoder's with good results. they only cost around $25 (https://www.amazon.com/Portta-PETRHP-Co ... B003VJ9RP6)

but I definitely agree that the Framemeister does a fairly poor job with 480p sources. kind of a big oversight in its design (especially considering how much it costs).

That's a great idea that I didn't consider. I'm considering picking up a Dreamcast as well, so a combined VGA/component to HDMI might be an idea.

Does this seem like a decent product? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neet%C2%AE-Com ... H8OV8?th=1

[Blair]

That's a great idea that I didn't consider. I'm considering picking up a Dreamcast as well, so a combined VGA/component to HDMI might be an idea.

Does this seem like a decent product? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neet%C2%AE-Com ... H8OV8?th=1

that fist "neet" product doesn't seem to be a transcoder, looks like some type of low-cost scaler (the one that does both component and VGA). I've never used it so I don't know what the quality is going to be like or how much input lag it would add to your setup.

I've seen a lot of those over the years, most of them are really aren't great. that's why I suggested the transcoder first (no processing of the image and no added input lag, just a simple analog-to-digital conversion). however, on that same page they do have options for what look like simple transcoder's similar to the porta ones (based on designs from fosmon I think). (the one that just does component to HDMI, and the one that just does VGA+audio to HDMI)

Dreamcast is bit tricky when it comes to video processors in general, as it doesn't output a normal 640x480 VGA signal (its more like 720x480p). so getting something that handles the signal correctly is a bit of a challenge (most of the later DVDO units do a pretty fine job). porta/neet also make a VGA to HDMI transcoders. but I haven't used them so I don't know they handle the odd Dreamcast signal accurately (Fudoh might know as he's done way more experimenting with transcoding and scaling then most). the only other solution I would suggest is getting the OSSC. it's the Swiss Army knife of retro gaming tools that would handle pretty much all of your problems.

[bobrocks95]

otherwise you could just use the component video output of the WiiU and pair it with a decent component to HDMI transcoder. I believe that would give you technically the same results as a full range picture once everything is calibrated properly.

Big problem there is no more surround sound support. If you aren't routing the Wii U through a receiver already, just plug it straight into your TV and set that input to RGB Limited.